Can I get help with my fees?

You may be eligible for free training if you are in receipt of benefits or reduced fees depending upon your age, residency in England and any benefits that you may be receiving. Fee concessions usually apply to the following:

• Students aged between 16 and 18 years of age (under 19 years of age on 31^st August 2011), or

• Residents of England, EU/EEA members, spouse or child of EU/EEA members who have been resident in the EU/EEA for 3 years or more prior to the start of the course, for a purpose other than full-time education, and if:

  • It is a foundation / level 1 qualification*
  • It is a first full level 2 qualification*
  • It is a first full level 3 qualification*
    * and you do not already hold a full qualification at a higher level
  • It is a nationally approved literacy or numeracy course (not GCSE/GCE)
  
  

• You were under 19 years of age when you enrolled on the first year of a 2 year course. Please bring along your student statement from the previous year.

• You are in receipt of any of the following benefits:

  • Council Tax Benefit
  • Housing Benefit
  • Income Support
  • Working Tax Credit
  • Pension Credit
  • Jobseeker's Allowance
  • Employment and Support Allowance

    
    Those in receipt of the above benefits, and/or unemployed, wishing to access free training will be encouraged to enrol onto courses that directly link to employers' needs and skills gaps in the area. The process for accessing fee remission will be assessed on an individual's circumstances. Claimants will be asked to supply evidence of their benefit and complete a declaration form outlining their circumstances.

• Consideration is also given to students who have:

  • Asylum seeker status
  • Recognised refugee Status
  • Exceptional leave to enter/remain
  • Humanitarian protection
  • Discretionary leave
  • Have been in the UK for at least 3 years for a purpose other than full-time education.

    
    Documentation from the Home Office must be brought along to enrolment as evidence.

Please note: If you are eligible for fee concessions you will still have to pay examination, registration and other associated fees at enrolment, although you may be eligible for financial support. Some courses are non-SFA funded therefore fee concessions do not apply, these are identified when the listed course fee and reduced fee are the same.

Please contact student services on 01384 363 363 for more information.

Employer Paying Your Fees?

If your employer is paying your fees please bring a letter to enrolment from your employer, on company letter-headed paper, conforming that they may be invoiced for all fees.

Examples of Financial Support

Learner Support Funds (19+)

Learner Support Funds (19+) are means-tested grants provided by Dudley College to help you with additional costs as a result of attending a course, e.g. travel, books, equipment, stationery, residential fees etc. Help to meet the costs of child care may also be possible from the learner support fund if you are aged 20+. Call 01384 363 377 for more details.

Students aged under 20 needing help with childcare may be eligible for help with costs – more information is available from www.dfes.gov.uk/caretolearn or call 0845 600 2809.